Lanka power link project hits hurdles

State-run PowerGrid Corporation's 285-km undersea power transmission line project between India and Sri Lanka is having to surmount technical and religious blocks.

The project was proposed in 2007-08, for completion this year. It was to transfer 1,000 Mw of power from India to Sri Lanka.

A Power Grid official, who did not want to be identified, told Business Standard: "The project is proposed between Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Anuradhapura in the north-central province of Sri Lanka. There are technical and non-technical issues which are yet to be resolved. As the transmission line will be passing under the sea, the length needs to be reduced. Also, there are religious places at the connecting centres of both countries."

He said the attempt was to develop the project with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore. Two high voltage, direct current (HVDC) terminal stations are to be set up at the two ends of the link, connected to Sri Lanka's national power grid.

The official said a series of meetings between Power Grid and the Ceylon Electricity Board had taken place. A joint steering committee is overseeing the project. A task force has been formed to study the feasibility report and give recommendations to the steering committee.

Meanwhile, Power Grid has proposed a 'Desert Power India 2050' project. Said the company chairman, R N Nayak, "Power Grid proposes to play a role of enabler so that the solar power generated in the deserts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir will be evacuated and supplied to other parts of the country. These barren lands will be used to set up solar projects and can generate more than 100,000 Mw." He said the company would do a detailed study with the respective state governments to assess the potential and the technology.